Morris named Hurricanes' starting QB

August 13, 2012|By Michael Casagrande, Sun Sentinel

CORAL GABLES — The verdict arrived Monday night.

Junior Stephen Morris was named starting quarterback less than three weeks before opening the season at Boston College. Coach Al Golden made the announcement when releasing an updated depth chart just after 8 p.m.

Morris beat out Ryan Williams after the two competed since practices opened Aug. 3. Golden previously said he hoped to make a decision Monday after watching the film of Sunday's scrimmage. The coach was not available for comment after the depth chart was released.

The competition remained tight, Golden said, when he last met with reporters Saturday afternoon. He said Williams' accuracy made him a real contender while players were gravitating to Morris' leadership.

The depth chart revealed a few other interesting positional battles. Though the freshman class is impressing, only two newcomers were starters on Monday's list. Right tackle Ereck Flowers and defensive tackle Dequan Ivery made the first team. Henderson, the top right tackle before camp, was not listed on the two-deep after missing every Miami practice with a concussion.

Ivery replaces Curtis Porter who was moved to the other tackle position as Darius Smith's backup.

Freshman Tracy Howard fell behind senior Brandon McGee for one of the starting cornerback jobs after earning the job early in camp.

At running back, Mike James was followed by Eduardo Clements, Dallas Crawford, and Duke Johnson, respectively. In all, three starters listed on the initial depth chart were demoted — two because of injuries.